Lemme tell ya--nothing quite spoils the mood like bloody diarrhea.
No, the situation that statement implies did not actually happen to me, thank goodness. But it's the kind of stressful thing that has happened to folks who have colo-rectal cancers.
About a month ago, on June 1, 2009, I was diagnosed with stage II colon cancer. Fortunately, the surgery a few days later removed all of the tumor—as well as 10 inches of my large intestine—and there's no evidence that cancer had spread to the lymph system, bloodstream, or any other organs.
Ironically, I had had a completely clean colonoscopy only five years ago. According to my doctors' recommendations, my next colonoscopy wasn't due until this year, and by the time I got that colonoscopy I already had a large 8 cm tumor which had reached the outer layer of my colon, was blocking 70% of my intestine, had ulcerated, and was bleeding. I can show you pictures. They aren't pretty.
I am one of the lucky ones—I had pain, and later diarrhea and bleeding, that let me know something was wrong and sent me to the hospital, but colon cancer rarely has any symptoms.
Currently, it's recommended that folks with no family history of colon cancer start getting colonoscopies at age 50, and that, if a colonoscopy shows no abnormalities, follow-up colonoscopies are recommended only every five to ten years. If someone has a family history of colon cancer, like I do, colonoscopies are recommended starting at age 40. I am 38. My dad died of colon cancer at age 49.
I don't want to freak you out. Really, I don't. Most of you will probably never have colon cancer, but some of you will. For some of you, a loved one will have colon cancer. So consider the mother of three, a vegetarian for 17-years, with no family history of colon cancer. She was diagnosed with with the most advanced stage of colon cancer, stage IV, at age 37. Her cancer had already spread to her lymph system and other organs of her body.
Or perhaps you might like to read about Holly McMaster, one of the founders of the Colon Club, who was diagnosed with colon cancer on her 23rd birthday. Or her friend Amanda who died of colon cancer at age 27.
And check out the Colon Club's 2009 “Colonder” calendar filled with young, beautiful, healthy people who have colon cancer. Colon cancer may not be sexy, but its survivors sure are.
My personal inspiration had a stage II tumor the size of a football when she was my age. (Makes my "large" 8 cm tumor seem tiny by comparison, huh?) Thirty years later, no recurrence, and she's out in the world kickin'.
So here's your Public Service Announcement: Get a colonoscopy. Don't wait.
No, the situation that statement implies did not actually happen to me, thank goodness. But it's the kind of stressful thing that has happened to folks who have colo-rectal cancers.
About a month ago, on June 1, 2009, I was diagnosed with stage II colon cancer. Fortunately, the surgery a few days later removed all of the tumor—as well as 10 inches of my large intestine—and there's no evidence that cancer had spread to the lymph system, bloodstream, or any other organs.
Ironically, I had had a completely clean colonoscopy only five years ago. According to my doctors' recommendations, my next colonoscopy wasn't due until this year, and by the time I got that colonoscopy I already had a large 8 cm tumor which had reached the outer layer of my colon, was blocking 70% of my intestine, had ulcerated, and was bleeding. I can show you pictures. They aren't pretty.
I am one of the lucky ones—I had pain, and later diarrhea and bleeding, that let me know something was wrong and sent me to the hospital, but colon cancer rarely has any symptoms.
Currently, it's recommended that folks with no family history of colon cancer start getting colonoscopies at age 50, and that, if a colonoscopy shows no abnormalities, follow-up colonoscopies are recommended only every five to ten years. If someone has a family history of colon cancer, like I do, colonoscopies are recommended starting at age 40. I am 38. My dad died of colon cancer at age 49.
I don't want to freak you out. Really, I don't. Most of you will probably never have colon cancer, but some of you will. For some of you, a loved one will have colon cancer. So consider the mother of three, a vegetarian for 17-years, with no family history of colon cancer. She was diagnosed with with the most advanced stage of colon cancer, stage IV, at age 37. Her cancer had already spread to her lymph system and other organs of her body.
Or perhaps you might like to read about Holly McMaster, one of the founders of the Colon Club, who was diagnosed with colon cancer on her 23rd birthday. Or her friend Amanda who died of colon cancer at age 27.
And check out the Colon Club's 2009 “Colonder” calendar filled with young, beautiful, healthy people who have colon cancer. Colon cancer may not be sexy, but its survivors sure are.
My personal inspiration had a stage II tumor the size of a football when she was my age. (Makes my "large" 8 cm tumor seem tiny by comparison, huh?) Thirty years later, no recurrence, and she's out in the world kickin'.
So here's your Public Service Announcement: Get a colonoscopy. Don't wait.
1 comments:
I 100% agree with you on this one. My father died of bowel cancer when he was 49, and my brother and I were both told to go and get colonoscopies once we turned 30. I had my first one last year, and currently have a clean bill of colon health, but will get another when I'm 35.
I'm glad they were able to catch all of yours, and that your prognosis is good. *hugs*
xx Dee
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